Josh O’Connor Emerges as Frontrunner for 007
British actor Josh O’Connor stands as the primary candidate to succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond in the upcoming twenty-sixth film of the franchise.
Speculation intensified following reports from the United Kingdom regarding conversations in a London pub after the final performance of the stage production Golden Boy. An anonymous source cited by The Sun indicated that the thirty-six-year-old actor discussed the role with members of the cast. Additional outlets, including ANSA, reported that the Sun cited an exclusive anonymous source close to the final casting sessions. Yesterday, several UK newspapers unexpectedly presented the decision in favor of Josh O’Connor as finalized, fueled by remarks the actor reportedly let slip in a London pub following a final performance of the theatrical production Golden Boy, in which he currently stars.
Auditions and Contenders in the Final Casting Phase
The selection process narrowed significantly through late October. The Hollywood Reporter reported that screen tests took place over the weekend of October 24, involving O’Connor alongside British actors Callum Turner and Jack Lowden. Initial rumors earlier in the week favored Turner, while Lowden had also emerged as a leading contender in recent reports.
Surprise candidates entered the final evaluation stages. Variety and The Hollywood Reporter indicated that Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult participated in screen tests during the late October sessions, alongside discussions involving actors such as Harry Styles and Theo James. Despite these late additions, recent British press reports positioned O’Connor ahead of his peers for the iconic role. Alongside O’Connor, the list of contenders competing for the part included British actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack Lowden, Robert Pattinson, and Callum Turner.
Production Timeline and Creative Team Behind the New Film
The upcoming project operates under new institutional oversight. Amazon assumed creative control of the franchise after acquiring rights from the Broccoli family in February 2025. Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, handles the screenplay, while Amy Pascal and David Heyman serve as producers.
Director Denis Villeneuve oversees the production of the untitled twenty-sixth film. Robert Pattinson recently collaborated with Villeneuve on the upcoming feature Dune: Part Three. Daniel Craig previously held the role across five films starting with Casino Royale in 2006 and concluding with No Time To Die in 2021.
Trace O'Connor from Cheltenham Upbringing to Global Screen Success
O’Connor grew up in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, after being born in Southampton. He trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School before building a diverse portfolio across television and film. His television credits include portraying Prince Charles in the Netflix series The Crown, a role that earned him a BAFTA nomination and a Golden Globe.
His cinematic work features appearances in Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers and Alice Rohrwacher’s La chimera. He also worked alongside the final James Bond actor, Daniel Craig, in the 2025 release Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Public reactions to the casting rumors found O’Connor describing the situation at an Everyman Theatre event as bizarre and surreal, according to BBC reports.
Common Questions Regarding the Casting Rumors
Is there an official studio confirmation regarding Josh O’Connor?
No official confirmation has been issued by Amazon or the film’s producers regarding the casting of Josh O’Connor as the next James Bond.
When did Daniel Craig end his tenure as James Bond?
Daniel Craig concluded his run as 007 with the release of No Time To Die in 2021, having starred in five films beginning with Casino Royale in 2006.
Who else participated in the final screen tests?
Screen tests in late October involved Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, Josh O’Connor, and Robert Pattinson, with additional industry figures also evaluated for the project.
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